Maryland General Assembly opens today

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -  

Pot, pit bulls, and gun laws are expected to be some of the hot topics in Annapolis this session. It officially opens today.

Governor Martin O'Malley will join state lawmakers in Annapolis and Senator Barbara Mikulski will speak at the opening ceremony. 

Over the next few months-- lawmakers have a lot of controversial issues to tackle.

Of course they have to pass a budget, but that's not the only matter on their list.

One major topic of discussion will likely be gun control.

Some lawmakers are pushing to change state gun laws in response to the Newtown Connecticut school shooting.

The Maryland SPCA is hoping that the General Assembly will start to work on legislation that will adjust the recent ruling that labeled pure-bred pit bulls “inherently dangerous.”

Many of the gun bills being discussed were introduced during last year's session but didn't have enough support to pass.

One of Governor O'Malley's other top priorities is getting capital punishment repealed .

He says he needs just two more votes to make that happen.